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Below is a list of this week's school news from Newcastle and the North East - written by you. To get your school event or story included, simply fill out the form below, which is also at www.chroniclelive.co.uk/schoolnews Students created their own American-style diner serving up burgers and cheesecake amongst a three-course gastronomic delight for family and friends as part of their GCSE studies. The 16 hospitality students at Academy 360 in Sunderland planned the menu, prepared and cooked all the food, served guests and even designed the table decorations with Hollywood star-themed place mats, under the guidance of food technology teacher Jo Tissington. Their tasty US-influenced menu whetted diners’ appetites with starters, mains and puddings including chicken goujons, burgers, chilli con carne, cheesecake and coffee. Doubts and assumptions were put to one side as friendships were formed between the generations at an inspiring project held in Lanchester, County Durham . Karbon Homes’ Ageless Project brings together young and old people to increase understanding between the generations.

Find out when your bins will be collected, when you can use libraries and leisure centres, and when council offices and services will be open this Christmas in a handy section on the Northumberland County Council website. A link from the home page will take you to quick links for bin collection days; County Hall and customer information centre opening times; times that you can phone the customer contact centre; library and leisure centre opening times; and Blyth Crematorium and register office availability. All bin collections across Northumberland will be two days later than normal during the week beginning 25th December, Monday collections on the Wednesday, Tuesday collections on the Thursday, and so on. During the week beginning 1st January 2018 all collections will be one day later than normal - Monday collections on the Tuesday, Tuesday collections on the Wednesday, etc. The day changes will affect both recycling and general rubbish bins. For more information about bins, waste and recycling in Northumberland, including a timetable of your collection days, visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/waste

This round-up of Chriistmas shows - mainly traditional nativities - is super cute and covers schools from Walker to Washington, Gosforth to Gateshead and beyond. The video shows children aged five to seven at Delves Lane Primary School in Consett who performed Christmas songs in five languages to parents. Tutor Rachel Prior of Lingotot held a weekly after school club for the children for just 10 weeks. She said: "I am incredibly proud of my Lingotots." The gallery below shows some wonderful cheeky grins and faces of Christmas concentration as well as great group photos of the whole cast in these photographs submitted by schools. So much work has gone into the productions, including costumes and stage sets as well as all making time for all those essential rehearsals. And it is all very much appreciated, creating fabulous memories for participants big and small, as well as their friends and families, in the years to come. Don't miss the Chronicle's special Christmas Stars print supplement featuring as many photographs as we can from all the schools who took part, on Wednesday, December 20. The schools included here are: Adderlane Academy, Prudhoe; Appletree Gardens First School, Whitley Bay; Barmston Village Primary School, Washington; Beaconhill Primary School, Cramlington; Bedlington Station Primary School, Bedlington; Beech Hill Primary School, Walbottle; Bridgewater Community Primary School, Benwell, Newcastle; Burnhope Primary School, County Durham; Busy Bees, Durham.

This year saw the timely launch of a brand new purpose-built construction training centre to serve the next generation of construction professionals here in the North East. Trainbase, located in South Northumberland, was officially opened in April by MP for Wansbeck Ian Lavery and over the past nine months, has gone from strength to strength with the expansion of both its staff and range of courses. At a time when the construction industry is facing a major skills shortage, Trainbase is dedicated to delivering the highest quality standards in construction training to help meet the needs of local individuals and businesses who require accredited training and testing, delivered in a professional learning environment. The centre is situated on a 20-acre site at Burnt House Farm in Bedlington, which incorporates a 15-acre all-weather, free-draining digging area. The facility also comprises a large outdoor training area, as well as office accommodation with training, testing and conference rooms. Plans are also under way to add an indoor roller and street works area by January 2018. Using a selection of new, modern machinery, Trainbase provides accredited training and testing across multiple awarding bodies, including an extensive range of CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) and NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) categories, short courses, street works and Level 2 Plant NVQ’s, as well as bespoke courses.

Darts legend Phil Taylor has dubbed North East star Chris Dobey the ‘future of darts’, after winning past him in the first round of the 2018 World Championship. Bedlington’s Dobey bowed out at the first hurdle on Friday evening, despite a valiant comeback against the 16-time World Champion. Having fallen 2-0 behind in sets, Dobey fired back to win the third set and missed two darts at double 16 to force a final set, as he succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to ‘The Power’. Nonetheless, Taylor - who is retiring after the competition - was left mightily impressed by Dobey, admitting his relief after seeing off the talented youngster. “There was a lot of pressure on me,” Taylor told PDC TV after the game. “But to get past Chris Dobey. When they keep talking about the future of darts, that is your fella, I think.

Two Bedlington sisters remembered their cherished mum as they flicked the switch to light up a 25ft tree at a hospice’s annual Light Up A Life service in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Bedlington-based charity Leading Link took part in a special young people’s Christmas market in Morpeth.

To mark the national Anti-Bullying Week, pupils at Stead Lane Primary School in Bedlington painted a rock inspired by the book Only One You by Linda Kranz.

Phil Taylor believes Bedlington darts ace Chris Dobey poses a ‘big challenge’ ahead of their meeting in the first round of the World Championships this evening. The 16-time World Champion will retire from professional darts after this year’s tournament, ending 30 years at the top of the sport. Bowing out by winning a 17th World title would be the fairytale ending for the greatest player of all time, but the 57-year-old is under no illusions about the threat the north-east star poses. “It will be a big challenge for me,” Taylor told the PDC’s official website. “Chris has made massive strides in the last couple of years and is wanting to make his mark, but I can go up there relaxed because I’ve nothing to lose. “It’s my final World Championship and I want to enjoy it.”

Bedlington darts ace Chris Dobey admits it is a ‘big thing’ to be playing Phil Taylor in a World Championship but is motivated by the prospect of being ‘The Power’s’ final ever professional opponent. Taylor, who has been crowned World Champion an incredible 16 times, will retire after this month’s World Championship, bringing the curtain down on a career that has spanned over 30 years. ‘The Power’ has won over 80 TV major titles during his illustrious career and won his first World title 27 years ago - four-and-half months before Dobey was born. The pair meet for the first time on a televised stage this evening, and while Dobey is excited to play a ‘legend of the game’, he is determined to make a name for himself and become the final man to beat the most decorated player of all time. “I was happy with the draw,” Dobey told ChronicleLive. “I knew it was always going to be a tough one but with it being Phil’s last year, it’s nice to say you have played Phil in a World Championship.

The 25th edition of the PDC World Championships rolls into town on Thursday, as darts fans are treated to 18 days of pure tungsten theatre. 72 players will compete for the famous ‘Sid Waddell Trophy’ - named after the Geordie darts commentator who helped transform the game into the global brand it is today. Michael van Gerwen became a two-time World Champion last year as he beat Gary Anderson in an exhilarating final, and he arrives at the Alexandra Palace in London, as the overwhelming favourite for a third world title. He opens the show this evening against 2012 BDO World Champion Christian Kist, who has struggled badly through injury this year, and is unlikely to prove too much of a hurdle in MVG’s pursuit of the £400,000 first prize. Emerging stars Mensur Suljovic and Daryl Gurney will be confident of success after winning major titles in 2017, while the rise of debutant Rob Cross this year has seen him competing at the latter-end of major tournaments. All three players are in van Gerwen’s half of the draw, however, as is five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld - who famously knocked van Gerwen out in 2015.

A burglar is behind bars for Christmas thanks to quick action by local residents in Newcastle. At around 11.45pm officers on the Newcastle North Neighbourhood Policing Team received a report that a man was attempting to break into vehicles and garages on the Great Park estate. Officers responded and a man was arrested nearby matching the description provided by the public. Karl Devlin, 27, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglary other than dwelling, two counts of interfering with a motor vehicle and two counts of possession of a class B drug. And at Bedlington Magistrates Court this morning (Tues) Devlin pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison. He is one of a number of burglars convicted as part of Operation Sleigh – Northumbria Police’s festive campaign to put burglars behind bars this Christmas. PC Gareth Welsh said: “We just want to say thank you to residents in Great Park who were vigilant and reported this incident to police. “We were able to respond quickly and identify a suspect in the area before anything of significant value was stolen. “As a result of their quick action a burglar is now behind bars for Christmas and he won’t be able to ruin this time of the year for any other members of our local communities. “It is always really positive when the public can work together with police to help us take opportunist thieves like Karl Devlin off the streets.”

Cadets and staff from Bedlington and Morpeth were among those honoured for their achievements over the past 12 months at the recent Durham and Northumberland Wing Presentation Night.

The 25th edition of the PDC World Championships rolls into town on Thursday, as darts fans are treated to 18 days of pure tungsten theatre. Michael van Gerwen became a two-time World Champion last year as he beat Gary Anderson in an exhilarating final, and he arrives at the Alexandra Palace in London, gunning for a third world title. Anderson, a two-time World Champion himself, and number two seed Peter Wright are likely to be riding on van Gerwen’s coat-tails as this year’ competition promises to be the most exciting yet. Retiring darts legend Phil Taylor looking forward to Newcastle swansong in the Premier League 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor will call time on his illustrious career after this year’s tournament and he will be keen to sign off with a 17th triumph on the world stage. However, we have a vested interest of our own in Taylor’s progress, as he takes on Bedlington star Chris Dobey in the first round.

We asked readers to share a photograph of their Christmas tree - and what a fabulous display there is to see! Over 800 readers showed off their Christmas pride and joy - and then voted for their favourite trees from those posted on the Newcastle Chronicle Facebook page. And here are are top 20. Thanks to all who shared some Christmas joy - from huge, blazing beauties to treasured family heirlooms. As you can see, there is a huge range of trees, with fibre-optics or handmade decorations and unusual colour schemes. And there are lots of ideas for dressing your own tree if yours has yet to go up. This article features the favourites from our Facebook page by 9am on Thursday - but we will feature more later this week in further galleries, so do look out for them! 1. Seb Howarth in Whitley Bay topped our poll with 262 reactions to his wonderful, traditional-style tree, glowing with hundreds of tiny lights and topped by a little Christmas fairy. He said: "This is our first Christmas in our new home." Congratulations on a marvellous tree! 2. Steph Craig's Newcastle tree was very popular too, with 206 reactions - a huge vote from those who love the stylish bright, white look at Christmastime. The big bows are a fashionable addition which those who haven't got their tree dressed yet might like to imitate.

A new micropub has opened its doors in Bedlington, with locally-brewed beers and traditional ciders on offer.

Northumberland County Council’s highways team has been shortlisted in the most improved performer category of the prestigious annual APSE performance networks awards These high-profile awards mark both the best performing authorities and the most improved for their achievements with categories being dedicated to each service area. APSE performance networks is the largest voluntary public sector benchmarking service across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Used by over 200 local authorities it leads the way in benchmarking local government services. Finalists are selected based on those authorities who have participated in performance networks and who have demonstrated continuous improvement in the services they provide. Northumberland’s highways team has been an active member of APSE for several years, and this year has been nominated for the 'Most Improved Council' in the highways category. Cllr Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for the environment and local services at the council said: “This is a really significant achievement for Northumberland at a national level. It recognises the hard work and dedication of our highways team and highlights the significant improvements that we are making to Northumberland’s roads.” APSE Chief Executive Paul O'Brien added: "We’re absolutely delighted with the calibre of finalists in this year’s APSE performance networks awards. As budgets continue to be squeezed, using data intelligently has now become vital to ensuring excellence in frontline service delivery. In today’s digital age information is power, and these awards highlight how invaluable high quality performance information is to strengthening local government’s frontline services." Winners will be announced at an awards event in Blackpool this week.

A car dealership has reinforced its support for the Bedlington Brass Band Initiative.

Northumberland County Council is celebrating after the county picked up a prestigious award at the 2017 British Travel Awards. Northumberland received a Silver award for Best UK Holiday County/Region at the awards held in London on Wed (No 29). It’s the fourth year in a row the county has claimed the silver award, beating off stiff competition from tourist favourite the Lake District. Once again holiday hotspot Cornwall was crowned the category winner. The winners of the awards are chosen by a public vote, from consumers who have registered their interest to vote. Coun Cath Homer, cabinet member of culture, arts, leisure and tourism, said: “This is a huge accolade for Northumberland. The fact that it is decided on the back of a public vote shows the love people have for our stunning county. “To be up against, and beat, tourism stalwarts such as the Lake District shows just how far Northumberland has come as a tourist destination. As more people discover this once “hidden gem” the benefits to businesses and attractions in the county will continue to grow. “As the council, we want to congratulate everyone involved in making our county officially one of the best holiday destinations in the UK. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to encourage more people to choose Northumberland for their next short break or holiday.”

A charity calendar featuring dogs rescued in Northumberland is now for sale with all the proceeds going directly to four local animal charities. The calendar features twelve dogs that have been rescued by Northumberland County Council’s animal welfare team and partner charities. Each dog has their back story printed alongside their photograph. The printing of the calendar has been funded by the fines collected for dog fouling offences in Northumberland. All the proceeds will go to four local animal charities: S.H.A.K, Alexa’s Animals, B.A.R.K and The Dog’s Trust. One of the rescued dogs is Poppy who was found straying by a council Animal Welfare Officer. She was in a terrible condition; covered in fleas, very underweight and nearly blind. Since then she has received loving care and been found a new home where she now lives a full & healthy life. Northumberland County Council successfully prosecuted her owner for neglect. Another chosen dog Luna the lurcher was also found straying by a council Animal Welfare Officer. She was placed with the Charity S.H.A.K for much needed care and attention. Northumberland County Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services said: " The council produces this calendar each year and it’s a great way for us and members of the public to support the local animal charities we work closely with and help them fund their fantastic work.” Stephen Wylie of the dog rescue charity S.H.A.K said: “We’ve had another successful year working alongside the council’s animal welfare team. Together we have helped dogs to be reunited with their owners, receive medical attention when needed and if necessary find new homes. The team has gone above and beyond on many occasions to help us with our work, and ultimately give the dogs the best future possible. " The calendars are available for a minimum donation of £3.99 from council information centres, through the Council website or by contacting the animal welfare team on 0345 600 6400.

What’s in a name? Apparently Forest, Hawk, Hunter, Fox, Storm, Hallie, Aurora, Skye, River, Rowan and Raven were just some of the unusual monikers given to babies born in the UK this year. The Chronicle revealed the findings of the website Babycentre earlier this week. It’s not only modern parents who gave their offspring left-of-centre names, however. A trawl through the census returns and birth, marriage and death records of the late 19th and early 20th centuries reveals some truly odd names (some of which are unprintable in a family publication). The following are all genuine names of people who lived in the North East.

If you fancy making an attractive and affordable Christmas wreath to adorn your front door this festive season, why not join one of the workshops at Hepscott Park Horticultural Skills Unit near Morpeth The sessions cost £12, will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and will run on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December. To book onto a workshop ring: 01670 623911.

A pub raider who stole thousands of pounds when he targeted five bars and social clubs across Tyneside and Northumberland is facing jail. Serial thief John Cook broke into the licensed premises between June and November and usually smashed up fruit machines to pocket the cash inside. A court was told the bungling 39-year-old was snared on each occasion by either leaving an item of clothing or blood at the scene or setting off an intruder alarm. On his final break-in, at the Lochside pub, in High Heaton, Newcastle, he made off when was confronted by the owners but later tracked down by a police dog. Now, Cook, who said he was of no fixed abode but is formerly from Coach Road, in Wallsend, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and was found guilty after a trial in his absence of a fifth count. He also admitted a separate charge of theft during a hearing at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.

Northumberland County Council has welcomed fresh government support to bring back rail passenger services throughout south east Northumberland. The new Council Leader, Coun Peter Jackson, has committed to reintroducing direct trains between south-east Northumberland and Newcastle Central - with thousands of residents a day being transported along the 20-mile route between Ashington and Newcastle city centre. The government has now reaffirmed the Department of Transport’s support for the scheme, as part of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s new rail strategy that could see the reopening of some lines that were closed in the 1960s. This new Northumberland line is among those proposals across the country “currently being looked at and candidates for further consideration”. The next stage of the new Northumberland Line (GRIP 3) involves assessing and selecting the most appropriate options that deliver the council’s requirements and establishes the scheme can be delivered at the right cost. Work towards starting Grip 3 is being progressed and a report prepared for councillors to discuss in the coming weeks. Council leader Peter Jackson said: "We have always supported this ambitious proposal to help secure future jobs and growth across the whole county. "This is positive news from central government and reaffirms their support to work with us on this flagship project. “While there is still some way to go until passenger trains are running again, a great deal of work is happening behind the scenes which has our full support. It’s good to hear the government is backing our strategy. We have an ambitious and forward looking aspiration for our county and we will work with all partners and especially with the Government to deliver a prosperous future for everyone in Northumberland. ” Reintroducing passenger services to the current freight line could boost the local economy by up to £70m with more than 380,000 people using the line every year by 2034. Commuters and shoppers could speed between Ashington and the heart of Newcastle in as little as 38 minutes, with several new or rebuilt stations along the route linking towns to key areas of employment, training and leisure attractions as well as providing transport links across the wider region and the UK.

If you’re a landlord looking for a project then this two-bed flat in Bedlington could be for you. It’s going under the hammer next month with bidding set to start at £14,000. Situated in Liddle’s Street, the ground-flood flat is just yards away from the ‘Good’ Ofsted rated Bedlington Primary School. There are regular bus links to Newcastle, which is 25 minutes away by car, while Bedlington’s town centre is around half-an-hour’s walk away, or 10-15 minutes on a bus. There are local shops, including a Boots pharmacy and Premier convenience store on Ravensworth Street, which runs parallel to Liddle’s Street. But there is a reason the price starts so low: the property is in need of a “full refurbishment,” as the pictures show. Estate agent Rook Matthews Sayer says it is a “must view” for anybody interested, and it looks like taking a thorough look around is a good idea before putting in a bid at the auction house. In the estate agent’s words, “this ground floor flat would make a great purchase for those looking for a project”. Inside there’s an entrance hall, kitchen area, lounge, bathroom and two-bedrooms. There is a shared yard to the back and a garden in the front.